Upgrade of a Scanning Probe Microscope for Chemical and Biochemical Analysis

扫描探针显微镜(SPM)技术不仅可以用于亚纳米分辨率的表面表征，还可以用于纳米尺度的力的测量。扫描隧道显微镜是PI小组正在进行的各种纳米技术项目中使用的主要技术之一，包括(A)表征分子分辨率下烷基硫醇在Au(111)表面形成的自组装单分子膜(SAM)、Au(111)表面的树枝状大分子单分子膜和Si(111)表面的烷基单分子膜，(B)研究蛋白质吸附和检测抗原-抗体相互作用，以及(C)测量各种薄膜的定量摩擦性能。攻丝模式SPM对于这些正在进行的项目非常重要，特别是对于研究液体表面生物系统的界面现象和性质。PI集团目前的SPM系统是大约五年前从数字仪器(DI)手中收购的。它已被广泛应用于各种研究和教学活动中。然而，它没有很多重要的功能，如攻丝模式操作。创新科技署建议把现有的扫描电子显微镜由奈米镜E提升至设有延长器电子模组的奈米镜IIIa控制站。这一升级将允许PI的小组在液体中执行攻丝模式SPM。SPM的升级将极大地提高PI的研究能力，拓宽其研究领域，并促进与校内外人员的合作。这笔助学金的更广泛影响将是，许多研究生和本科生将通过他们的研究经验或课程中的实验室课程从该仪器中受益。如果研究成功，社会将受益于更好的生物相容性材料。

Shaoyi Jiang, University of Washington"Upgrade of a Scanning Probe Microscope for Chemical and Biochemical Analysis"The scanning probe microscopic (SPM) technique can be used not only for the characterization of surfaces at the sub-nanometer resolution, but also for the measurement of nano-scale forces. SPM has been one of main techniques used in the PI's group for various ongoing nanotechnology projects, including (a) characterizing self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) formed by alkanethiols on Au(111), dendrimer monolayers on Au(111), and alkyl monolayers on Si(111) at the molecular resolution, (b) studying protein adsorption and detecting antigen-antibody interactions, and (c) measuring quantitative frictional properties of various thin films. Tapping mode SPM is very important for these ongoing projects, particularly for the study of interfacial phenomena and properties of biological systems on surfaces in liquids. The current SPM system in the PI's group was acquired from Digital Instruments (DI) about five years ago. It has been heavily used in various research and teaching activities. However, it does not have many important features, such as tapping mode operation. The PI proposes to upgrade the existing SPM from NanoScope E to NanoScope IIIa Control Station with Extender Electronics Module. This upgrade will allow the PI's group to perform tapping mode SPM in liquids. Upgrade of the SPM will greatly enhance the PI's research capacities, broaden his research areas, and facilitate collaborations with people on and off campus. The broader impact of this grant will be that many graduate students and undergraduate students will benefit from the instrument through their research experience or laboratory sessions in a course. If the research is successful, society will benefit through better biocompatible materials.